Indiana State University Newsroom

Thousands attend 10th annual Extravaganza

More than 5,000 students attended the 10th annual Cunningham Memorial Library's Extravaganza at Indiana State University.

Students were encouraged to attend and learn about the new services that the library has to offer as well as given lunch of pizza and soft drinks.

"I believe that students will benefit from attending the Extravaganza by learning about library resources and services as well as discovering what other groups across campus have to offer students. Since the atmosphere is lighthearted, hopefully, attending will also help alleviate any anxiety students might have about using a large academic library," said Dean of Library Services Alberta Comer.

Students seemed to agree.

"The Library Extravaganza was a great way to find different sources located throughout campus that would help benefits us," said sophomore Samuel Spencer, who is majoring in exercise science and Spanish from Brazil, Ind.

Comer said that the library staff‘s number one goal is meeting the research needs of the students and faculty. The library is open from noon on Sunday to 7 p.m. on Friday; Saturday hours are noon-5 p.m.

"We offer places for quiet individual study as well as group study including the new media: scapes technology and seating arrangements and furniture," she said, adding that the library also offers access to more than 50,000 electronic journals. The library also is partnering with the Office of Information Technology to create a space that is more accessible to students' group study needs and that has electrical plugs for charging laptops.

"They draw you in at first with food and decorations but once you get here you can't help but be informed about the different resources," said Jacob Martin, a sophomore food service management major from Clinton, Ind.

Organizations and offices from across campus also provided information to students at the Extravaganza.

"For one thing a lot of students don't realize that the Career Center is a place that students can benefit from, starting their freshman year and use throughout their college career. Career exploration is available to help students decide what they can do with their major," said Tracy Powers, executive director of the center, said about attending the Extravaganza.

From library resources to organizations, the Extravaganza tries to show the students all of the help available to them.

"It's beneficial, everything you need to know is all here," said Tamara Davis, a junior criminal justice major from Indianapolis.